School Drug Prevention Program Celebrates 1st Graduation In 14 Years

Thursday marked the first D.A.R.E. graduation in Southampton Town in 14 years. (Courtesy Southampton Town Police)

REMSENBURG, NY — The Southampton Police Department held a D.A.R.E. graduation at Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School Thursday — the first time Southampton Town has graduated a class in 14 years, according to Lt. Susan Ralph.

Sixth graders who participated in the Drug Abuse Resistance Program, or D.A.R.E., training, were taught by School Resource Officer Eric Plum; the effort marked a revitalization of the program. Southampton Town has not participated in the D.A.R.E. Program since 2008, police said.

D.A.R.E., official said, “teaches youth good decision making and life skills to live a drug free and violence free life, along having respect for themselves and others. These skills will carry these young adults through their life and provide them with the foundation to make good choices rather than negative ones that could effect them later in life.”

The graduation highlighted the children’s experiences through the program and the topics that resonated with them most vividly.

The Southampton Town Board recognized each graduate with a proclamation, congratulating them on their successful completion of the program. Southampton Village, Westhampton Beach, and East Hampton Town school resource officers were also in attendance.

“A special thank you to Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School for their dedication to the program and allowing our department to provide the instruction,” police said.